Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to welcome you to the fourth edition of the International Mayors’ Forum, organized by the 缅北禁地Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD).
On behalf of the Department of Economic and Social affairs, 缅北禁地DESA, I wish to recognize our partners, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, and Incheon Metropolitan City, for their support to UNOSD over the last ten years. Their contributions in bringing together local and regional governments, experts, and stakeholders committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals at the local level, is highly appreciated.
This year’s Forum will examine the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on cities and local governments. It will identify potential ways to support a swift and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, and to contribute to Our Common Agenda. As noted by the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, this is an agenda for action, designed to accelerate implementation of existing international agreements, including the SDGs.
Distinguished Participants,
Local and regional governments – including municipal authorities in cities and towns – have a vital role to play on the path to sustainable development.
Indeed, cities and human settlements are hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. They are among the main incubators for:
- knowledge generation,
- production and innovation in science and technology,
- as well as in governance, social development, art and culture.
They also play a leading role in decent employment, productivity growth, and economic development. They generate over 80 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product.
Yet, local authorities face their share of challenges.
While accommodating more than half of the world’s population on barely 2 to 3 per cent of the earth’s land, cities:
- consume nearly 80 per cent of global energy, and
- generate over 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, they are becoming more vulnerable to the increasing frequency of climate-related extreme events.
These challenges are further compounded by the impact of COVID-19 on economic activities. An estimated 90 percent of COVID-19 cases have been reported in urban areas, where cities and local governments are estimated to lose on average between 15 and 25 per cent of their revenues. This is affecting their ability to provide basic services.
Yet, the COVID-19 crisis presents us with an opportunity to re-imagine a better future through our response—a fairer and more equal world. Cities are in a unique position to contribute to a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
I am delighted that your Forum will focus on concrete solutions to:
- support a sustainable recovery,
- provide the tools to help achieve Our Common Agenda, and
- accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Indeed, the achievement of the SDGs and a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient recovery, will largely depend on local action.
I wish you a successful event.
I thank you.